Combination lock



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 COMBINATION Locx Filed June 11. 1923 S. DE CASTRO E IZNAGA Jan. 21, 1930.

' Jan. 21, 1930.,

S. DE CASTRO E IZNAGA COMBINATION Locx Filed June 11. 1925 4 ISheeta-Sheei. 2

Jan. 21, 1930.

COMBINATION LOCK Filed June 11. 1923 s. DE cAsTRo E lzNAGA 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 s J2 KN@ Wzh'zmwef I' 3 f7: vani-or z Jan. 21, 1930. s. DE CASTRO E lzNAGA 1,744,707

COMBINATION Loox Filed June 11, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 21, 1930 Unirse STATES. PATENT oral-ce f SERGEO DE `CI-KSCIIEi-O E IZNAG-A, GF HABANA., CUBA; JUAN DE CASTRO Y PLANS .AND CAR-- :MEN IZNAGA Y R'UZ HEIRS 0F SAD SERGIO FAUSTINO DE CASTRO IZNAGA, IDEu CEASED COMBINATION Loox Application filed June 11,

This invention relates to improvements in combination locks, and particularly to a type adapted for use with safes, to lock the turnable member against movement before engagement of the sliding bolts and which cannot be felt out and brought into unlocking posit-ion by persons who vdo not know the combination.

rlhe principal object of my invention is to provide a locking device capable of a very large number of combinations, which can be easily changed without taking apart the members of the lock, provided that the right combination be known.

Another object is to provide a combination lock whose combinations may be changed automatically, according to certain pre arranged key.

Another object is to provide a device to set loose the external disk as soon as the handle for operating the sliding bolts is moved a fraction of a turn either to the right or to the left avoiding thereby the possibility of unlocking the lock by trying the handle while the locking members are 'being rotated.

Another object is to afford means to set loose the handle for operating the sliding bolts if an abnormal pressure is exerted against it to break open the lock.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding! parts in the several views.

Let us assume for the sake of the description thatthe door of the safe is placed horizontally with its inner face upward.

Fig. 1 is a general top view of the device minus the members for operating automatic changes in `the combination.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top View of the members for operating automatic changes in the combination.

Fig. 3 is .an enlarged view of the members for operating automatic changes in the combination, seen by their outer sides.

Fig. 4 is Yan .enlarged view 4of themembers 1923. Serial No. 644,778.

for operating automatic changes in the combmation, seen by their inner sides.

Fig. 5 is a partial view in section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 6 is a partial view in section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2, showing the disposition of the concentric locking units.

Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views of the concentric locking units on a plane passing through the stops which convey the motion from one locking unit to the next one.

Fig. 8EL shows, on an enlarged scale, some details of construction.

Fig. 9 is a view in section on the line V9--9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 shows some details of construction of the member for operating automatic changes in the combination.

' Fig. 11 is a plan view of the plate bearing the scales for regulating the automatic changes in the combination.

Fig. l2 is a view in section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view vof the members for operating the sliding bolts, showing the construction of the handle, vthe locking plunger and the partially toothed gear for engaging the toothed pinion connected to the bars bearing the sliding bolts.

Fig. 14 is 'a front view of the casing tor the locking plunger. I

15 is a section on the line 'l5-15 of Fig. 1.6.

Fig. 16 is a front view of the socket for the adjustable bearing of the shaft of the coupler for lcoupling the external disk and the locking units after their disconnection by the motion of thehandle.

Fig. 17 shows semischematicalfly the lower face of the partially toothed gear for conveying the motion from the handle to the toothed pinion connected with the fbars Vthat bears the sliding bolts.

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the casing for the locking plunger seen by its lower tace.

Fig. 19 -is :a top view of the casing for the locking plunger. Fig. Q0 is atop view of the socket for the adjustable .bearing .of the .shaft of the coupler.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the socket seen by its lower face.

Fig. 22 is a top view of the locking plunger.

Fig. 23 is a left-hand side view of the socket.

Fig. 24 is a right-hand side view of the socket.

Fig. is a view in section on the line 25-25 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 26 is a plan View of the external disk which bears the numbers to make out the combinations for unlocking the lock.

Referring lnow more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings the numeral 1 denotes the door of the safe serving as a framework for the whole device. 2, Fig. 26, is a disk whose periphery is divided by one hundred equal partition marks numbered from 0 to 99 which may be brought into alinement with a pointer 164 by the rotation of the disk by means of a small knob 3. Said disk 2, Fig. 6 is provided with a stem 4 passing through proper boring in the door 1 and the tubular axle 5, which is attached to the bottoms of the bores wherein the pinsare the door 1 by a round base 6. A disk 7 is secured to the stem 4. Loosely mounted on the end of the stem 4 there is a drum 8, Figures 1, 2, 6, and 12, provided with a prolongation 9 bearing a pin 10 which passes through a bore in the disk 7 and may enter into another bore made in the upper portion of the rst locking unit. The drum 8 is provided with a collar groove 11 as seen in Figures 6 and 12.

There are three concentric members or locking units, to wit: one comprising a tubular body 12, an upper disk 15, a lower disk 18,k

and a tire 19; another one comprising an upper'disk 16, a tubular body 13, a lower disk 2O and a tire 21; and another one comprising a central body 14, a lower disk 22, and a tire 23. (See Fig. 6).

The disks 15, 16, and the upper portion 17 of the central body 14 are provided with one hundred ratchet teeth each. The teeth of disks 15 and 17 are inclined toward the left hand, as shown in Fig. 2; those of the disk 16 are inclined toward the right hand.

`W'hile the central bodies 12, 13 and 14 are concentric the disks 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22 are in different parallel planes. The lower disk 18 is provided with a tire or outer ring 19. Y The disk 2O is provided with a tire or outer ring 21 and the disk 22 is provided with a tire or outer ring 23. The inner faces of said rings 19, 21, and 23 are provided with one hundred notches or vertical grooves, as partially shown in Fig. 2 and the disks 18, 20, and 22 are provided with pins 24, 25, and 26 pressed toward the respective tire by springs bearing against the bodies .of said pins and enclosed, as shown in Figure 2 and 6. Although in the drawings the disks 18, 20, and 22, each appears provided with a single pin (24, 25, and 26 respectively), it is obvious that they may have more than one of said pins.

The tires 19, 21 and 23 are held in place between the outer edges of the disks 18, 20 and 22'; and the plate rings 29, 28, and 27, Fig. 6, secured by screws as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The peripheries of the tires 23, 21, and 19 are cut out to form notches 30 adapted to receive the tongue 31 of the locking plunger 32.

The disk 22 is provided on its lower face with a suitably shaped mortise 33 wherein may slide a little way a stop-piece 34; Figures 6, 7 and 8.

The disk 2O is provided with two stoppieces 35 and 36 pivoted within a proper mortise 37 and provided with two springs 165 and 166, bearing against said stop-pieces 35 and 36; Figures 6, 7, and 8a.

The disk 18 is provided in its upper face with a properly shaped mortise 38, wherein may slide a litt-le way a stop-piece, 39; Figures 6, 7, and 8.

The gear 40, Figures 1, 6, 12, and 17, is provided with teeth 41 on a portion oi its periph ery. The lower face of the wheel 40 presents at its center a flange or tubular rim 42, Figures 13 and 17, passing out through a proper bore made in the door 1. Within said tubular rim 42 there is a spring tongue 43 secured therein.

44 is a cylindrical body whose end 45 enters into a portion of the rim 42 4and is provided with an oval-shaped prolongation which enters into the space between both claws of the spring-tongue 43.

A screw 46, without threads in a portion near its head, passes through the center of the wheel 40, and secures the cylindrical body 44 to said wheel 40. A set screw 47 prevents the loosening of the screw 46.

A cross-bar 48 makes a handle for turning the cylindrical body 44 and thereby the wheel 40.

The wheel 40 has near its center an upstanding pin 49 provided with an antifriction-roll 50, Figures 1 and 13.

The locking plunger 32 is knee-shaped, as shown in Fig. 13, and its tail is provided with a slot 51 adapted to act as a cam whereagainst bears the roll 50 when the wheel 40 rotates.

The plunger 32 can slide within the casing 52, shown in Figures 12, 13, 14, 18, and 19.

This casing is secured to the door-1 by screws and it also serves to hold in place the wheel 40. In Fig. 1 are seen the drillings for the screws of the casing 52.

A toothed pinion 53 pivoted by its center 54 to the door 1 is connected by the rods 55, 56, 57, and 58 to the lugs 59, 60, 61, and 62 attached to the bars 63, 68, 73, and 78 which bear the sliding bolts 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81 and 82. These and has a portion -86 bent downward carrying pivoted oni its end a sinall roller 90. Two coil-springs 167 and 168, Fig. 1, cause the forked lever 83 and the roller 90 to stoop, the latter bearing on the upper face of the .r wheel 40 and rolling through the groove 91 cut in said wheel 40, Figures 1 and 13. rl`his groove 91 has a clipper portion 169 whereinto falls the roller when the wheel 40 is in the position shown in Fig. 1.

The bearin g piece 89 may be slid down into the socket 92 of the base 93, Figures 1, 12, 15, 16, 20, 21, 23, 24, and 25. The body of the bearing piece 89 is provided with a small lever 94, suitably pivoted within a inortise A., cut in said piece 89, Fig. 25, and whose free end passes out through a U-shaped slot 95 cut in the Jfront side of the base 93, Figures 15, 16, and 25. The base 93 is provided with a way 96 for the connecting rod 58; Figures .l 15, 21, 23, and 24.

97, 98, and 99 are three slidable bars nearly tangent to the peripheries of the ratchettoothed disks 15, 16, and 17. 100, 101, and 102 are pawls properly encased and pivoted l within niortises cut in said bars 97, 98, and 99.

These pawls are held lifted by the ends of the slidable bars 103, 104, and 105, when said slidable bars are advanced, as hereinafter described; Figures 2, 3, and 4. Two casings 106 and 107 hold the ends of the traveling bars 97, 98, and 99. The traveling bar 97 is provided with two pins, one 108, Fig. 3, appearing out through the groove 109 cut in the outer face of the casing 107, and the other A 110 aaoearino throuvh the oroove 111 cut l C) D 7* in the outer face of the casing 106. The traveling bar 98 is provided with two pins, one 112 appearing out through the groove 113 cut in the outer face of the casing 107, the

other 114 a a iearine out throuoh the Groove 2D C 2D -5 107; and the other 118 appearing out through the groove 119 cut in the outer tace of the casing 106. A coil-spring 120 attached by one end to the pin 108 and by its other end to the casing 107 pulls said pin 108 toward the left-'hand end of the groove 109.

A coil-spring 121 attached by one end to the pin 112 and by its other end to the casing 107 pulls said pin 112 toward the right-hand end of the groove 113. A coil-spring 122 at- 4tached by one end to the pin 116, and by its other end to the casing 107 pulls said pin 116` toward the left-hand end 01:' the groove 117.

A slidable member 123 which may be slid down through a guide 124 cut in the casing 106, pressing down a coil-spring 125, Figures 2, 3, and 49; is provided with three pivots 126, 127, and les.

A link 129 connects the pin 110 and the pivot 126; another link 130 connects the pin 114 and the pivot 127; and another link 131 connects the pin 118 with the pivot 128; so that when the ineinber 123 is slid down the links 129 and 131, through the pins 110 and 118, push out the bars 97 and 99 toward the right causing the springs 120 and 122 to stretch, while the link 130, through the pin 114, pulls in the bar 98 toward the left causing the spring 121 to stretch. Then, when theineinber 123 is released and pushed up by the spring helped by the reaction yof( the coil-springs 120, 121, and 122 it causes the sliding back of the bars 97, 98, and 99.

The slidable nieinber 123 is pressed down by a traveling finger 132, 9, pivoted by its center within a inortise cut through the plunger 133. The nger 132 is drawn out by a spring-tail 134 bearing against a portion 136 of the plunger 133, while another portion 137 of said plunger checks the outward course of the finger 132 stopping its Vupper end.

The plunger 133 may be slid down, within the casing 138, pressing down the coilspring 139. A rod fastened to the floor of the casing 138 prevents the falling out of the coil-spring 139; and when the plunger 133 comes down the upper end of the. rod 140 enters into a bore 141 inade in the plunger 133 as shown by broken lines in Fig. 10.

The lower end of the finger 132 passes out through a groove 143 cut in the inner face of the casing 138 while the upper end of said finger r132 passes out through another groove 142 cutin the front race of the casing 138. When the upper end of the traveling linger 132 reaches the lower end 144 of the groove 142-144 it causes the rotation of the finger on its pivot and thereby the drawing in of both ends of said linger into the Inortise 135 setting loose the slidable member 123.

The sliding bar 104 passes through the casing 107 rubbing the inner face of the bars 97, 98, and 99,'and is provided with an up-stand ing stern 145 which issues from a groove 146 cut in the upper Jface of the casing 107, Figures 2 and 5. A border of the casing 107 is provided with ten notches or grooves 147 and the stern 145 bears a pin 148 encased in a proper bore and provided with a coil-spring :si

170, which causes the pin 148 to engage into any of said grooves 147.

The slidable bar 105 passes through the casing 106 rubbing the inner faces of the bars 98 and 99, and is provided with an rip-standl mi ing stem 149 which issues through a groove 152 cut in the upper tace of the casing 106. A. border ot the casing 106 is provided with two groups of notches or grooves 150 and 155, and the stem 149 is provided with a pin 151, Fig. 2, encased in a proper bore with a coil-spring 172, which causes said pin 151 to engage into any of the notches of the group 150.

The slidable bar 103, Fig. 5, passes through the casing 106 rubbing the inner face of the sliding bar 97, and it is provided with an 11p-standing stem 153 which issues through the groove 152 cut in the upper face of the casing 106, Fig. 2, and is provided with a pin 154 encased in a proper bore with a coilspring 171, which causes said pin to engage into any of the notches of the group 155.

The bases of both casings 106 and 107 are fastened by screws to the door 1, as shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 1 are seen the drillings for said screws.

The lug 62 passes through the way 156 out in the base of the casing' 106, Figures 3, and 4.

Three springs 159, 161, and 163 attached to the side of the casing 107 are provided with rolls 158, 160, and 162 bearing against the ratchet teeth of the disks 15, 16, and 17 act as brakes to prevent the loose turning of said disks and thereby of the locking units.

Now let us explain how the whole device works.

Vhen the external disk 2 is rotated the motion is conveyed by the stem 4 to the disk 7 attached to it, and from this disk 7, through the pin 10, to the locking unit composed of the upper disk 15, the tubular body 12, the lower disk 18, and its tire 19. Then, as the stop 39 of the disk 18 meets the stop 36 oit the disk 20 pushes it, so imparting the motion to the next locking unit composed ot the upper disk 16, the tubular body 13, the lower disk 20, and its tire 21. And then, when the stop 35 of the disk 20 meets the stop 34 of the disk 22 the motion is imparted to the next locking unit composed of the ratchettoothed rim 17, the central body 14, the disk 22, and its tire 23.

It the notch cut in the periphery of the tire 19 is in alinement with the tongue 31 of the locking plunger 32 while the cipher marked on the periphery oit the external disk 2 is in alinement with the pointer 164, as shown in Fig. 26, the locking unit composed of the upper disk 15, the tubular body 12, the lower disk 18, and the tire 19 is said to be at Zero. y r

Likewise, when the notches cut in the peripheries of the tires 21 and 23 are in alinement with the tongue 31 of the locking plunger 32 while their stops 35 and 34 are in contact and the other stop 36 of the disk 20 is in contact with the stop 39 of the disk 18, the locking units composed of the disk 16, the

tubular body lo, t le disk 20, and its tire 21;

and the ratchet-toothed rim 17, the central body 14, the disk 22, and its tire 23 are said to be at Zero too. When so positioned the locking units are in unlocking position.

Assuming that the notches 30 cut in the peripheries of the tires 23, 21, and 19 have been brought into alinement with the tongue 31 of the locking plunger 32, as shown in Fig. 1, if the handle composed of the cylindrical body 44 and the cross-bar 48 is turned either to the right or to the left, the wheel 40 will turn in the same direction causing the roller 90 to come up out of the dipper portion 169 of the circular groove 91 lifting the end 86 of the bent shaft 84-85-86, and thereby causing the forked-lever 83 to lift up the drum 8 bringing its pin 10 out from the bore of the disk 15 and thus disconnecting the external disk 2 from the locking units.

Then, as the wheel 40 turns, the roll 50 enters into one of the ends of the hole 51 and causes the plunger 32 to advance toward the locking units, this motion being so timed that the tongue 31 enters into the notches 30 cut in the peripheries of the tires 19, 21, and 23 while the teeth 41 of the gear 40 engage the teeth ot the toothed pinion 53 causing it to rotate a quarter of a turn, either to the right or to the lett hand according to the direction of the motion of the wheel 40, assuming the connecting rods 55, 56, 57, and 58; the lugs 59, 60, 61, and 62; the bars 63, 68, 73, and 78; and the sliding bolts 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, and 82 being in the position shown by broken lines in Fig. 1.

T the notches 3-0 cut in the peripheries of the tires 19, 21, and 23 were not in alinement with the tongue 31 of the lookin g plunger 32, when said tongue 31 reaches the tires 19, 21, and 23, further advance of the plunger 32 would be prevented and the motion of the wheel 40 would be checked too. If then, ab normal exertion were employed upon the handle 48-44 in order to break open the lock, the spring-tongue 43 would yield and the handle would turn loosely without turning the wheel 40.

Tf while the tongue 31 is in the notches 30 cut in the peripheries of the tires 19, 21, and 23; the bea-ring 89 is slid down into its socket 93, by unlocking the small lever 94, the Jforked-lever 83 would lower bringing down the drum 8, causing its pin 10 to reenter into the bore of the disk 15, connecting thereby the external disk 2 with the locking units. In this condition, if the disk 2 isrotated the motion would be conveyed to the locking unit composed of the upper disk 15, the tubular body 12, the disk 18, and the tire 19, but as this tire 19 is held fastened by the tongue 31, the spring which pushes the pin 26, would be overpowered and the pin 26 caused to change from one by one of the notches cut in the inner face of the ring 19, and thereby the relative angular position of the notch 30 and the stop 39 would change too.

Likewise, the relative angular positions of the notches cut in the peripheries of the tire 21 and the stops 35 and 36; and the tire 23 and the stop 34 may be changed by rotating the disks and 22 while their tires 21 andy 23 are held by the tongue 31 of the lockingi or to the left hand stopping when the cipher marked on its periphery is in alinement, with the pointer 164, whereby the locking units are put at zero, because during the first turn of the external disk 2 the stop-piece 34 of the 4 first locking unit meets and pushes before it the stop-piece 35 of the second locking unit causing this latter to turn; then during the second turn of the external disk 2 the other stop-piece 36 of the second locking unit meets and pushes before it the stoppiece 39 of the third locking unit causing this latter to turn too; and after three turns of the external disk 2 in the same direction the stoppiece 34 will be touching the stop-piece 35 and the stoppiece 36 will be touching the stop-piece 39, then as the notches of the peripheries of the tires 19, 21, and 23 are in alinement and held locked by the tongue 31 of the locking plunger 32, if one stops turning the external disl' 2 when the cipher marked on its periphery is in alinement with the pointer 164, all three locking units will be at Zero. Now one proceeds turning the external disk 2 in the same direction until the number 50 marked on its periphery is in alinement with the pointer 164, whereby all three locking units are then set to said number 50. Now, one causes the external disk 2 to turn backward, whereby the stop-piece 34 quits the stoppiece 35, but after a complete turn of the external disk in this directionwhen the number 50 is again in alinement with the pointer 164-the stop-piece 34 meets again the stoppiece 35 by its other side; then one proceeds vturning the external disk 2 until the number 23 is in alinement with the pointer 164 whereby the stop-piece 34 pushes before it the stoppiece 35 causing the second locking unit to turn and the stop-piece 36 leaves behind the stop-piece 39, so the third locking unit Vremains at Now one causes the external disk 2 to turn in the first direction until the number 2 marked on its periphery is in alinement with the pointer 164 whereby the stoppieee 34 leaves behind the stopfpece 35 so the' second locking unit remains at 23, and when the external disk 2 stops with number'2 in alinement with the pointer 164 one lifts up the adjustable bearing 89v locking it by the lever 94 so the first locking unit remains at 2, and the whole lock is set to the combination 502302. After closing the door of the safe one turns the handle 4%-48 causing the tongue 31 of the locking plunger 32 to release the tires 19, 21, and 23 and the locking bolts to slide into locking position locking the door. In order to disarrange the combination one gives a few turnsin any direction to the external disk 2. Now to open again the safe one must piace the locking units to said combination 502302 proceeding in the same order as hereinbefore explained, to wit: causing the external disk 2 to turn three complete revolutions in the same direction, either to the right or to the left hand stopping when the cipher marked on its periphery is in alinement with the pointer 164 and then proceeding untilv the number 50 is in alinement with the pointer 164. Turning backward the external disk 2 a complete revolutionfuntil thenumber 50 is again in alinement with the pointer 164 and then proceeding turning the external disk 2 in the same direction until the number 23 is in alinement with the pointer 164. Now turning the external disk 2 in the first direction until the number 2 is in alinement with the pointer 164; one tries to turn the handle 44-48 in order to slidethe locking bolts into unlocking position, what can be done if the notches 30 of the three tires 23, 21, and 19are in ainement with the tongue 31 of the locking plunger 32, but if'it'cannot be done, it means that the combination has been worked contrary-way and one must be-A gin anew by causing theexternal disk 2 to turn three complete revolutions in one direction, but contrary to the direction in which it turned the first time and then stoppingv when the number 50 is in alinement with the pointer 164; turning backward the external disk 2 ay complete-revolution and stopping when the number 23 is in alinement with the pointer 164.; and then turningA again the external disk 2 in the other direction until the number 27 is in alinement with the pointer 164. Turning now the handle 44-48 the tongue 31 of the plunger 32 enters into they notches 30 of the tires 23, 21, and 19 allowing the teeth 41y of gear 40 to engage the teeth of the toothed pinion 53 causing it to rotate a quarter of a turn and thus sliding the locking bolts into unlocking position.

Now, let us explain how the automatic` changes in the combination are operated. lVhen the door 1 ofthe safe is being closed the head of the plunger 133 strikes against a portion oft-he lower border ofthe door-case and is forced in into its casing 138 overpow; ering the coilspring 139, while its traveling finger 132 presses in the sldable member 123 into its guide 124 overpowering the coilspring 125.

`While the slidable member 123 is falling into the guide 124 the connecting rods 129 and 131 push out the bars 97 and 99, and the connecting rod 130 pulls in the bar 98 overpowering the coil-springs 120, 121, and 122. As the bars 97 and 99 move toward the right hand and the bar 98 moves toward the left hand the pawls 100, 101, and 102 engage respectively the ratchet teeth of the disks 15, 16, and 17 causing them to advance a distance of one or more teeth and these advanced positions are maintained by the brake-rolls 158,

160, and 162. But when the traveling finger 132 (see Fig. 9) reaches the lower end 144 of the groove 142-144 the edge 144 presses in the upper end of said finger 132 overpowering its spring-tail 134 and causes it to turn on its pivot and to enter into the mortise 135 out in the plunger 133, thus setting free the slidable member 123. Then the coil-spring 125 reacts and pushes out the slidable member 123, while the coil-springs 120, 121. and 122, (Fig. 3), also react moving back the slidable bars 97, 98, and 99 into their casings 106 and 107, dragging the pawls 100, 101, and 102 on the'ratchet teeth of the disks 15, 16, and 17 and, when said pawls meet the ends of the slidable bars 103, 104, and 105, (see Figures 2 and 5) they are lifted from the ratchet teeth of said disks 15, 16, and 17.

As the tires 19, 21, and 23 were held by the tongue-shaped end 31 of the locking plunger s 32, locked in the notches 30 cut in the peripheries ot' said tires 19,21, and 23, while the disks 15, 16, and 17 were being advanced by the pawls 100, 101, and 102, the relative angular position of the notch 30 of the tire 23 and the stop-piece 34 was changed; the relative angular position of the notch 30 of the tire 21 and the stop-piece 35 also was changed; and the relative angular position of the notch 30 of the tire 19 and the stoppiece 36 was changed too; thus adding to the numeral combination of each locking unit as many numeral units as teeth of the respective disk 14, 15,and 16 have been advanced by the pawls 100, 101, and 102.

The slidable bar 104.may be slid out or in in its casing 107 so that its end lifts the pawl 101 from enoagement with the ratchet teeth of the disk 16 farther or nearer so that, when advancing, it will carry the disk 16 -a distance of one to nine teeth or not to engage it at all, being maintained in these positions by the pin 148 clutching into one of the notches 147.

The slidable bars 103 and 105 may be slid out or in in the casing 106 so that their ends lift respectively the pawls 100 and 102 from engagement with the ratchet teeth of the disks 15 and 17 farther or nearer so that, when advancing, they will carry the disks 15 and 17 a distance of one to nine teeth or not to engage at all, being maintained in these positions by the pins 151 and 154 clutching into the grooves of the groups 150, and 155.

The plate 165 secured by screws on the upper faces of the casings 106 and 107 is provided with three scales numbered from to 9 which serve to adjust the positions of the stems 149, 145, and 153, and thereby the positions of the slidable bars 103, 104, and 105. As shown in Fig. 11 the scale nearer to the left-hand end corresponds to the i'irst locking unit. The other scale next to this one corresponds to the third locking unit. And the scale nearer the right-hand end of the plate 165 corresponds to the second locking unit.

Let us suppose that the combination for opening the lock is 502302 and that we place the stem 149 in line with the number 7 of the corresponding scale of the plate 165, the second stem 145 in line with the number 2 of the right-hand scale, and the other stem 153 in line with the number 4 of the middle scale. Now, it the door l is closed the automatic change operating members will work as de# scribed causing the disk 17 to advance a distance of seven teeth, the disk 16 a distance of two teeth, and the disk a distance of four teeth, adding so 7, 2, and 4 to the former com bination then to unlock the sate we must use the combination 50-l-7, 23+2 02l4=57 25 06, or 572506. I'f the door were opened and closed again the combination would become: 57+7, 25-1-2, 06+4=64 27 10, or 642710.

As there are one hundred numbers on the periphery of the external disk 2 (from 0 to 99) ,.coresponding to the one hundred notches or grooves of the inner face of each of the tires 19, 21, and 23; and to the one hundred ratchet teeth of each of the disks 15, 16, and 17, there are one million combinations, (from 000000 to 999999) in the form illustrated in the drawings.

Now, if the combination were, for instance, 435095 and the numbers to be added automatically were 2, 3, and 6, we shall have for the new combination 43+2, 50+3, 95 6:45 53 101, but as there is no number 101 on the periphery of the disk 2, the 1 on the left is ignored and the combination becomes 455301.

f If the combination were 919597 and the numbers to be added automatically were 8, 5, 7, the new combination would be 91 8, 95 l- 5, 97+3=100 100 100, but as there is no number 100 on the periphery of the disk 2, the new combination would become 00 00 00 and the relative position of the stops 34, 35, 36, and 39 would be that which is shown in Fig. 7. Now, if new numbers were to be added automatically, as the disks 18 and 22 move anticlockwise while the disk moves clockwise the stop 34 acting against the stop and the stop 39 acting against the stop 36.would cause said stops 35 and 36 to yield into the mortise 37, overpowering their springs, while the stops 34 and 39 pass upon them. Then they would assume the upright positionas shown in Fig. S.

If the three stems 149, 145, and 153 were placed in line with the 0 of their respective scales the slidable bars 103, 104, and would be so advanced that none of the pawls 100, 101, and 102 would reach the ratchet-teeth or" the disk 15, 16, and 17 and therefore no automatic change in the combination would take place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a combination lock, a number of sliding bolts controlled by a pivoted and partially rotatable toothed pinion, a turnable partially toothed wheel adapted to come into engagement with the above named bolt-controlling pinion, an external handle for operating the turnable wheel, a slidable plunger adapted to be slid by the rotation of the abovenamed turnable wheel or to prevent said rotation when it cannot slide; in combination with concentric locking units adapted to limit the course of the slidable plunger, an external disk connected with the locking units and adapted to place them into unlocking position, a mechanism for disconnecting the external disk trom the locking units, means for changing the numerical combination ot the locking units, and a spring-tongue within a tubular prolongation of the lower tace ot the abovementioned turnable wheel adapted to hold the end of the body of the external handle, but allowing it to become loose whenever an abnormal exertion is used upon the handle; substantially as described.

2. In a combination lock, a turnable wheel provided with teeth on a portion of its periphery, an external handle held to the turnable wheel by a. spring-tonvue which allows it to become loose whenever an abnormal exertion is used upon the handle, a plunger adapted to be slid by the rotation of the turnable wheel or t-o prevent said rotation when it cannot slide, concentric locking units adapted to limit the course of the slidable plunger, an external disk connected with the locking units, means for disconnecting the external disk from the locking units when the turnable wheel begins rotating; in combination with a partially turnable toothed pinion capable of engaging with the above-mentioned partially toothed wheel and provided with connecting rods pivoted on the periphery of its upper tace and connected with lugs attached to bars bearing sliding bolts; substantially as described.

3. In a combination lock, a number ot sliding bolts, a bolt-controlling toothed pinion, a slidable locking plunger, concentric locking units adapted to limit the course ot the slidable plunger, an external disk connected with the locking units and adapted to place them in unlocking position by means of a predetermined number o turns and fraction of a turn imparted to the external disk, an automatic mechanism for disconnecting the external disk from the locking units; in combination with a partially toothed wheel turnably mounted and adapted to come into engage,- ment with the above-named bolt-controlling pinion and to cause the sliding ot the abovementioned slidable plunger or to be locked against rotation when the aforesaid plunger cannot slide; and an external handle held by a spring-tongue within a tubular prolongation otl the lower tace of the above-named partially toothed wheel and adapted to set loose the handle whenever an abnormal exertion is usedupon the handle; substantially as described.

e. In a combination lock, concentric locking units, each comprising two disks united by a central tubular body loosely mounted around the next one, the last being mounted on a tubular axle, so that all the disks are parallel; in combination with an external disk whose periphery is divided into a number of partition marks which may be brought into alinement with a iixed pointer, a spindle attached on the center of the inner tace of said external disk and passing through the abovenamed tubular axle, a disk securely mounted near the end of the spindle, a drum slidably mounted on 'the end of the spindle and provided with a prolongation bearing a pin which passes through a bore made near the periphery ot' the disk secured on the spindle and adapted to enter into a coinciding bore made in the inner disk otthat locking unit next to the tubular axle, substantially as described.

5. In a combination lock, locking units, each comprising an upper disk and a lower d-isk united by a central tubular body loosely mounted around the tubular body of the next locking unit, the last one being mounted on a tubular axle so that all the disks are parallel; 'in combination with a stop-piece slidably encased within a mortise made in the upper tace ot the lower disk ot that locking unit next to the tubular axle, two spring actuated stop-pieces pivoted within a mortise cut through the lower disk of the next locking unit, and a 'stop-piece slidably encased within the mortise made in the lower face ot the lower disk ot' the last locking unit, substantially as describec.

6. In a combination lock, concentric locking units, each comprising an upper disk and a lower disk united by a central tubular body loosely mounted around the tubular body ot the next locking unit, the last one being mounted on atubular axle so that all the disks are parallel, the peripheries ot the above-named upper. disks being provided with ratchet teeth; in combination with sliding bars tangent respectively to each ot said toothed peripheries and provided with spring actuated pawls adapted to engage the, teeth Cil of the respective upper disk, substantially as described.

7. In a combination lock, concentric locking units, each comprising an upper disk and a lower disk united by a central tubular body loosely mounted around the tubular body of the next locking unit, the last one being mounted on a tubular axle so that all the disks are parallel, the peripheries or said upper disks being provided with ratchet teeth, sliding bars tangent to said toothed peripheries and provided with spring actuated pawls adapted to engage the teeth of the respective disk; in combination with slidable bars parallel to theabove-named sliding bars and adapted to lift the spring actuated pawls, substantially as described.

8. In a combination lock, concentric locking units, each comprising an upper disk and a lower disk united by a central tubular body loosely mounted around the next tubular body, the last one being mounted on a tubular aXle so that all the disks are parallel, the peripheries of said upper disks being provided with ratchet teeth, sliding bars tangent to said toothed peripheries and pro vided with spring actuated pawls adapted to engage the teeth of the respective disk; in combination with a spring actuated plunger connected by links with the above-mentioned sliding bars and operated by a traveling finger pivoted within a mortise made in other plunger which is pressed in when the door of the sate is closed, substantially as described.

9. In a combination lock, a number of sliding bolts, a bolt-controlling partially rotatatable toothed pinion, a turnable partially toothed wheel adapted to come into engagement with said bolt-controlling pinion and connected with an external handle in such a manner that it becomes loose whenever an abnormal exertion is used upon the handle, concentric locking units each provided with i a notch cut in its outer periphery, a turnable disk placed outside of the lock and provided with a stem passing through the axis of the locking units and connected to them so that said locking units are placed into unlocking position by a number of turns and fraction of a turn imparted to said turnable disk, automatic means for disconnecting from the locking units the stem of the above-named turnable disk as soon as the above-named partially toothed wheel begins rotating; in combination with a slidable locking plunger provided with a cam-shaped slot wherein plays a roll pivoted near the center of the upper face of said turnable partially toothed wheel so that when the wheel rotates the roll acts against the cam-shaped slot causing the locking plunger to slide reciprocatingly, provided said locking plunger with a tongueshaped end adapted when in its forward motion to enter into the notches SERGIO DE CASTRO IZNAGA. 

